London, England, Downing Street Prime Minister's House, the conference room, smoky, like a fairyland. Of course, this is actually formed by the smoke of the cigar. Ministers who are holding an emergency cabinet meeting, in order to refresh themselves, either drink coffee or smoke cigars. With the financial resources of the British Empire, although they were inevitably in decline. However, there is no problem in opening up the supply of the best coffee and cigars to cabinet ministers. After all, only when ministers live happily can they make better suggestions for the development of the country.

The cabinet ministers attending the meeting all sank like water. The telegram sent back from Sir Stubbs, the Governor of Hong Kong, made them very angry, but more often than not, they were deeply helpless. The Chinese side actually sent troops directly into Xiangjiang, which is clearly a slap in the face of Britain! How can they endure such insults and provocations?

"It seems that we sent the fleet to the Far East, which seemed to be a bad move, which seriously angered the Chinese, so that they launched the operation to recover the Xiangjiang River in advance." War Secretary Earl Derby said.

"Even if we don't send a fleet to the Far East, the Chinese will take back Xiangjiang by force." Unless we take the initiative to compromise and return Xiangjiang to them. Otherwise, sooner or later, there will be such a day. Quartermaster Winston Churchill said stubbornly.

Count Derby smiled and said nothing. However, his contempt for Winston Churchill is unquestionable.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, now the Chinese have sent troops directly into Xiangjiang and taken back Xiangjiang by force without the permission of the British Empire. This put the British Empire in a very awkward position. What do we do now? David Lloyd George asked.

After learning that the Chinese side had directly taken back Xiangjiang by force, David Lloyd George was also shocked. He even feared at one point that this would plunge Britain back into the abyss of war. And this, absolutely all Britons, do not want to.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister. There are only two paths left in front of us. One is to recognize the Chinese taking back Xiangjiang. However, this would have had a significant impact on the prestige of the British Empire. The other is to refuse to recognize the Chinese to take back Xiangjiang and directly wage war against the Chinese. Of course, there is a greater risk in doing so. Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour said. In fact, China chose to send troops directly to reclaim Xiangjiang. So that the British side has not many options. After all, no matter how you choose, it is very bad for the UK.

David Lloyd George couldn't help frowning, neither of these two was what he wanted to choose.

"Isn't our fleet rushing to the Far East? If they can defeat the Chinese navy in one fell swoop, then they will undoubtedly be able to force them to cede Xiangjiang to us again. You can even get more benefits. Winston Churchill said. He was eager to try. Undoubtedly a main fighter. He has always been very hard-line, believing that everything can be resolved by force.

"Defeat the Chinese Navy? How is this possible. Let's not say whether it will succeed or not, but this will definitely lead to a full-scale war between us and the Chinese. Our colonies in India, Burma, the Straits Settlements, and Australia, as well as those colonies in the Middle East, will all be attacked by the Chinese Army, and our colonial system will completely collapse. Walter Long, the Colonial Chancellor, almost jumped to his feet, and he looked angrily at Winston Churchill. To think that his proposal was simply ruining Britain.

"The Chinese are fighting with Soviet Russia, they are on the battlefield of Soviet Russia. Millions of troops have already been invested. In order to defeat the Russians, they will throw in more troops. Then deduct the troops they were not familiar with guarding the Japanese on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the troops defending the homeland. There are not many troops that can be used to launch an offensive against our colonies. Winston Churchill quibbled.

"Humph! Let's not forget how many people China has, and if they want to, they can endlessly arm more troops to fight. Even. They could arm an army equivalent to the total population of Great Britain. War Chancellor Earl Derby said disdainfully. Compared with the Chinese Army, isn't that the brain caught by the door? China's huge population base and industry make it almost impossible for the Chinese Army to be defeated.

"It's impossible for them to arm so many troops, which will seriously affect their economic development." Winston Churchill said.

"If a full-scale war breaks out, will the Chinese still care about the economy? Do everything you can to win the war. That's the most important thing. The Earl of Derby retorted.

"Then we'll find a way to limit the war to the navy only. If the Royal Navy can defeat the Chinese, it can directly threaten the Chinese to negotiate peace with us by attacking the Chinese coast and accept our terms. Winston Churchill continued.

"The Royal Navy is on an expedition, although we have a larger number of capital ships than the Chinese Navy. However, in terms of single-ship performance, we are inferior to the Chinese Navy. In particular, we do not have strong enough warships to deal with the Chinese' 'Three Emperor-class' battleships and 'Pinghai-class' battleships. Even the Chinese' 'Five Emperor-class' battleships are more powerful than our 'Revenge-class' and 'Queen Elizabeth-class' battleships. Lord Chancellor John Jerichoe said.

Although, saying this is a bit of a long time for others to destroy their own prestige, but the fact is that even so. Although the 'Queen Elizabeth-class' battleships and the 'Revenge-class' battleships are powerful, they are inferior to the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy in terms of firepower, defense, and speed. If there is a one-on-one duel, the winner will definitely be the 'Five Emperor-class' battleship. The only advantage of the British Royal Navy now is probably the number of capital ships.

But even then, it's hard to say whether you'll win or lose. This is also a huge adventure for the Royal Navy. In case of failure, then the main forces of the Royal Navy will cease to exist. Britain's world hegemony will also be completely shaken.

"The Royal Navy is the first in the world, how can even the Chinese be afraid?" Winston Churchill said with some dissatisfaction.

"It's not that we're afraid of the Chinese, but are we sure we're going to gamble on the future of the Royal Navy and even the British Empire?" If you lose, you should be well aware of how serious the consequences will be. Sir John Jericho shook his head.

The cabinet ministers in attendance were involuntarily silent. Indeed, to gamble on the future of the Royal Navy and even Britain is a bit too high. At a time when Britain was just beginning to compete for supremacy at sea, there was no shortage of such ambition and the courage to move forward. However, the British are not as good as they were at the beginning, and they are a little forward-looking.

"To go to war with the Chinese, forget it. Our financial resources are already very tight, and if war breaks out, it will further aggravate our financial crisis. At that time, I am afraid that before defeating the Chinese, we ourselves will collapse. Chancellor of the Exchequer Andrew Bonafar said.

David Lloyd George used this as a stepping point: "Indeed, peace is not easy to come by, and we must avoid war as much as possible. ”

"Then, we now have only one option left, to admit that China has taken back Xiangjiang." Arthur Balfour said. This is undoubtedly a bitter result for the British. Britain's face will be damaged as a result. Britain will be the joke of the whole world. Even in other colonies, it is inevitable that there will be some caution.

"Even if we have to admit that the Chinese have taken back Xiangjiang, we must teach the Chinese a lesson and let them lose face fiercely." David Lloyd George said.

In his opinion, this was the only way to save Britain's face.

As a result, the ministers of the British Cabinet began to use their brains to think about how to save face for the British Empire.

"Your Excellency, didn't our fleet go to the Far East? Maybe we can think of a way from this aspect. Winston Churchill continued.

"Oh? What's the solution? David Lloyd George asked.

"The Chinese and the Japanese are old enemies, and if we hold a large-scale naval exercise with the Japanese in the western Pacific, near China's territorial waters, it will undoubtedly show support for Japan to the world." The Chinese will naturally be severely disgraced because of this. Winston Churchill said.

"That's one way to do it." David Lloyd George nodded.

"What if the Chinese think that we are going to join forces with the Japanese to wage war against them?" Earl Derby said.

"That's just right. The Japanese Navy had four 'Kii-class' battleships armed with 410 mm guns, and even the 'Three Emperor-class' battleships with inferior performance to the Chinese were not much different. If the Royal Navy and the Japanese Navy were combined, the possibility of defeating the Chinese Navy would undoubtedly be much greater. Presumably, even if the Chinese are arrogant, I am afraid they have to weigh it carefully. Winston Churchill said.

"Okay, that's it. The Japanese were contacted immediately, and the Royal Navy was going to Japan to visit them. In addition, the Royal Navy was given the latest order that they would not have to stay in Singapore for too long, and that they would leave for Japan after arriving in Singapore to complete their supplies. David Lloyd George commanded.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Arthur Balfour and Sir John Jericho both nodded.

The Japanese naturally raised their hands in favor of the Royal Navy's visit. Over the years, the Chinese Navy has put great pressure on them. It would be great if the Royal Navy could be used against the Chinese Navy. (To be continued.) )

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